Inclusive Attendance - Bilton School

As from Tuesday 28th January we are moving over to Bromcom for everything attendance related.

Please report your child's absence via the My child at school app (MCAS app)

How to report an absence - preferred option

Need help?

Please contact

Senior Attendance Champion

Ms Elizabeth Keell

Email: keell.e@stowevalley.com

Attendance Manager Ms Cathy Dillon

Email: dillon.c@stowevalley.com

Telephone: 01788 840600

Option 1 for 7-11 Absence

Option 2 for 12-13 Absence

If having difficulties with the new app, please report on ClassCharts.

https://www.classcharts.com/parent/login

You will no longer be able to report absences this way after 14th February 2025

Bilton School is proudly recognised as an Inclusive Attendance school. Our unwavering commitment to attendance centres around child-centric actions, evidence-informed practices, and a shared understanding of everyone's roles and collective responsibilities to promote exceptional attendance.

Inclusive Attendance Professional Development Model

Our attendance approach is fundamentally guided by the Inclusive Attendance professional development model. Comprising six tailored Learning Modules, this model empowers us to deepen our understanding by facilitating continuous professional learning for all staff. Within this model, the four domains of practice ensure the provision of professional learning, professional development, evidence-based practices, and exemplary leadership and management to seamlessly integrate theory into practice.

Multi-Tiered System of Support

To guarantee a comprehensive approach to attendance, we implement a Multi-Tiered System of Support. A Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS) for school attendance involves three tiers of intervention, with roles for teachers, the school, children, parents, and external agencies – including the Local Authority. Data-driven decision-making and training requirements are pivotal to the implementation of the system. The system aligns with the Department for Education's (DFE) "Working Together to Improve School Attendance" guidelines.

Tier 1

Universal Approach: Establishing a baseline universal attendance approach that benefits all children.

Tier 2

Individualised Strategies and Early Help Support: Tailoring strategies to individual needs and providing early help support for persistent attendance challenges.

Tier 3

Higher Needs Strategies Support: Furnishing specialised support for children, young people, and families with complex attendance requirements, including access to external agency support when necessary.

Recognition-Based Approach

Our attendance philosophy is rooted in a recognition-based approach that recognises both personal and collective achievements. This approach serves to thwart isolation, prevent victimisation, cultivate positive environments, nurture relationships, foster inclusivity, and ultimately cultivate intrinsic motivation among our children, families, and staff. The Bilton Way, use of our HAP system, as well as other rewards, will cement the recognition of a student’s success.

The Importance of School Attendance

The Importance of School Attendance

School attendance is not merely a requirement but a fundamental pillar of education. It plays a pivotal role in shaping academic success, personal growth, and future prospects, making it an indispensable aspect of any educational system

Academic Achievement: Regular attendance directly correlates with academic success. Children who attend school consistently are more likely to keep up with the curriculum, perform better in exams, and improve their life outcomes.
Knowledge Acquisition: School is where children acquire knowledge and skills that are crucial for their personal and professional growth. Missing days means missing out on valuable learning opportunities.
Social Development: School provides a vital social environment for children and adolescents to interact with peers, develop friendships, and learn essential social skills. Consistent attendance ensures children remain connected to their peer group.
Building Routine: School attendance establishes a structured routine in children’s lives, teaching them time management and responsibility, which are valuable life skills.
Teacher Interaction: Regular attendance allows for meaningful teacher-child interactions. Teachers can provide personalised support, address questions, and assess individual progress more effectively when children attend regularly.
Preventing Knowledge Gaps: Frequent absences can lead to significant knowledge gaps, making it challenging for children to catch up with missed lessons, potentially resulting in long-term academic struggles.
School Engagement: Children who attend school regularly are more likely to engage in extracurricular activities, sports, and other enriching experiences that contribute to their overall development.
Legal and Parental Responsibility: Parents or guardians are legally responsible for ensuring their child's regular school attendance. Failing to do so can lead to legal consequences.
Community Well-being: High levels of school attendance contribute to the overall well-being of communities.

Application for Leave

Attendance Policy

Attendance Road Map

Reporting Your Child Absent

Any student absence should be reported before 8.30am in one of the following ways:

ClassCharts App

ClassCharts Report an Absence Instructions

Telephone: 01788 840600

You will need to provide a reason for absence.

Absences can only be approved if absence is for one of the following reasons:

Illness (Medical evidence may be required)
Medical appointment
Religious observance
Family bereavement
Evidence of an interview or approved sporting activity

If attendance falls below 95% we will request medical evidence be provided otherwise absences will be unauthorised.

Your child's progress

Evidence shows that children with poor attendance are unlikely to succeed academically and are more likely to be NEET (not in education, employment or training) when they leave school.

If children are taken away for a two week family holiday every year and have an average number of days off for sickness and appointments, they will have missed the equivalent of a year off school by the time they are 16.

There is a clear link between poor attendance at school and lower academic achievement. (improving attendance at school - Charlie Taylor pub. DfE 2012.)

Previous interpretations of the regulations where Headteachers could grant pupils leave of absence of up to 10 days for the purpose of a two week family holiday in term time has been interpreted by some parents as a right to an automatic two week term-time holiday. This is not acceptable and the rules have been strengthened to prevent this happening in the future. For this reason the Government brought in new guidance in 2013, tightening the time off in term-time. Headteachers are no longer permitted to authorise absence for holidays taken during term time. They are only permitted to grant leave for exceptional circumstances. If you think you have exceptional circumstances, please talk to us without delay and before arrangements are entered into or money committed. If exceptional circumstances are accepted, the Headteacher and the School Governors will determine how much absence will be authorised.

Meet The Team

Newsletter Extract